It was with a collective sigh of relief that restrictions lifted and the children went back to school on March 8th after the best part of three months at home. Juggling work, homeschool and bandwidth was a pressure on us all.

School life isn’t exactly ‘back to normal’, but it’s a huge, happy step in the right direction.

Restrictions lifted – April 12th

It’s been brilliant having some normality resume and more freedom. We’ve enjoyed alfresco dining, went away for five nights, met outside with a few friends; and it’s been nice to go into non-essential shops again.

Since April 12th, school clubs and external ones have resumed. The children have been so excited. My own weekly exercise group Totally Mama also started back (although I’ve kept up with weekly online poker nights).

Shock to the system

We’ve had many pretty inert weeks and our world got a lot smaller for a period. Then suddenly all activities resumed in unison and it was a bit of a whirlwind. I’m not complaining, but it’s been quite an acceleration in pace: swimming until 7.30pm, early morning netball, kids’ club, gymnastics until 8.30pm and Saturday morning netball…

It’s certainly more hectic again and coupled with renewed social engagements and doing things ‘in real life’ once more it’s requiring a bit of readjustment.

I felt a little guilty for being misty-eyed for the period when I didn’t have to remember lots of timings, have swimming/gymnastics/netball gear to prepare and wash and have to re-schedule dinner times and breakfast to accommodate everything.

Then I was rather reassured by an email I got from my Totally Mama group, which echoed the exact same sentiments. It made me realise that perhaps I’m not alone in finding the 0-60 a little overwhelming.

One of the positives from lockdown was learning to take my foot off the gas a bit when it came to home life, and smell the flowers. I really wanted to continue this, but have realised it’s difficult to maintain as normality resumes.

…..

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When it was full lockdown we adhered to the laws. Friends and family were completely off limits, I only went out of the house (solo) for essential food shopping and we stayed local for our exercise once that was permitted. When we returned from holiday this summer we quarantined for 14 days. That was VERY tough as we couldn’t leave the house at all. Period. We managed it though.

Rule of six when you’re a five

It has been fantastic seeing friends and family again after months of isolation. We, like most, haven’t been meeting up in vast numbers. We have continued to socially distance, have been generally sensible about everything and are fastidious about wearing face masks where mandatory.

The rule of six for families of five obviously means you can only socialise with one other person outside of your unit at a time. One grandparent or one friend (but they can’t bring their partner); a child can’t meet a single friend (even from their own class) out of school as a parent coming with them takes the count to seven.

The rule of six seems to fly in the face of other advice

This all seems rather crazy and arbitrary when children are back at school and we’ve all been encouraged to get back out and about again.

• My children are in year group bubbles. My eldest (who’s just started secondary school) is in a bubble of 150!
• We were encouraged to Eat Out to Help Out in August and can currently be inside a pub or restaurant with lots and lots of perfect strangers. By the way, many places are continuing the scheme independently through September. Details here
• We’ve been told it is safe to return to the office and we should go back if we can
• Ditto public transport. It’s fine to be cocooned with lots of random people. Ubers are fine too
• Hunting and shooting are exempt from the rule of six
• Recreational team sports are back on the agenda (props to my daughter’s netball club for fantastic organisation, sanitisation and implementation of safety measures)

—

Sadly, I think COVID-19 is going to be around for a long time yet. We need to strike a balance between safety and containment, and getting back to some sort of normality for the sake of the nation’s mental health. I believe we have to learn to live alongside this disease and to do this need to employ common sense, not take unnecessary risks, ensure the most vulnerable are shielded and take sensible precautions. The rule of six seems rather a blunt, incongruous ‘solution’ to a very complex problem.

And let’s not even think about the ramifications for Christmas

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Pre-relaxation of lockdown rules

We’re big fans of eating out, so our last pre-lockdown meal out on March 15th felt like a very long time ago. In early lockdown we didn’t go anywhere other than having a daily walk. With the relaxation of some rules, we began going a little further afield and became accustomed to taking picnics to quiet spots.

Restaurants and relaxation of lockdown rules – our experience

We didn’t take any food with us as we knew at the least we’d be able to get takeaway from somewhere. We didn’t want to head to a potentially very busy pub, but we were open to assessing the ‘eating in’ situation at restaurants once we got there.

On arrival in Whitstable we headed to The Lobster Shack – a great place we’ve eaten at many times before. It was only 11.30am but we wanted time to do some reconnaissance before anyone got too hungry.

We were met outside by one of the staff; it was open for dining in and they had availability. The waitress explained about the app ordering process, she also explained about the one way system for entering and exiting the restaurant. It all sounded good, but still slightly cautious we opted for a table outside.

It was very breezy outside and as it was early still we decided to venture inside. Whilst the outside had started to get quite busy, we were the first indoor customers, which was great.

The tables

The first thing I noticed was at least half of the tables had been removed and there were more than two metres between each. There was nothing on the table except a laminated page with instructions on how to order. There was also a very big area for service with a wide gap from the bar/pass to the nearest table.

The app

Once at our table, we downloaded the aforementioned app. You order your food and pay via your phone. It was a very straightforward process and payment was instant. Everything was done without any interaction with the staff.

Service

Staff were calm and collected. Most were wearing full PPE. Our drinks were brought out without fanfare and it all felt very well organised. My mind was truly set at ease. Shortly after, our food arrived with similar efficiency and modesty. The cutlery came in a box alongside sachets of condiments and napkins.

Toilets

The usual indoor toilets were closed and it was outdoor toilets only. You could wash your hands as usual in the cubicle and there was a sanitisation station outside as well (as you had no choice but to touch the lock to turn it, this was a sensible addition).

Overall experience

It might have been a relaxation of lockdown rules, but what we experienced was a very tight ship with lots of well-thought out and well-executed procedures. It felt completely safe and though it was a rather different experience to the past, I was surprised at how quickly we eased into it and really enjoyed ourselves. The restaurant was empty inside when we arrived but at full capacity as we finished our meal. Even at ‘full’ it was calm, distanced and safe. The food was topnotch too. Well done The Lobster Shack!

Tips for eating out now

• If it doesn’t feel right, don’t stay
• If it’s a place you have to book get on the website weeks in advance. With limited covers due to social distancing, places are getting booked very quickly
• If it’s a place you don’t have to book, get there early – it’s just more pleasant and you’ll avoid disappointment
• Have sanitiser on you just in case
• Keep an open mind – it won’t be the dining out experience you’re used to but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy

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Dear Sofia, Maria and Gabriella,  

What a very strange time we’ve been living through since March 23^rd.  Who could have imagined what was to come when we saw the New Year in with lots of friends and family just 12 weeks before?

Not going to school (and the arrival of homeschooling), not seeing family and friends, not visiting lots of interesting places or doing our favourite activities and not going to cafés and restaurants has all been rather odd and rather disappointing. However, it hasn’t been all bad.

We’ve been in our own little bubble with daddy and I both working from home. We eat lunch (often whilst watching Bargain Hunt or Blackadder!) and dinner together every day instead of just at weekends, which is lovely. Daddy gets to see you before bed every night; before, that hardly ever happened.

During lockdown we have been out walking together so much more. We’ve found so many great spots and routes right on our doorstep where we’ve discovered friendly horses, outdoor apparatus; lots of birds, butterflies and wildlife, and even slushy vendors! There’ve been swings that have popped up from nowhere and puzzle trails that have been laid by a thoughtful local resident. I think we have figured out every footpath and short cut there is in Banstead. Who could forget the Town and Down trail that was meant to be 5.5 miles but ended up being eight!? We’ve even joined a tennis club as a family despite the fact I’ve never played before.  

We had fabulous weather pretty much the whole of April and May – the sunniest spring on record in fact. It’s meant that we’ve enjoyed the garden to the full. We’ve all helped with making it look nice by weeding, planting flowers and vegetables and painting the fence. The sprinkler, archery, netball, badminton, tree climbing and hideouts; it’s been our haven. I can’t remember a spring where we’ve been able to spend so much time outside and have so many BBQs and picnics; we even managed to get a few deliveries from the ice-cream man to our house. The VE Day 75^th anniversary was an absolute scorcher and I know you all loved having a ‘party’ and picnic in the front garden.

There’s been plenty of indoor activity too: board games, poker, baking, lots of films, The Shows Must Go On (Phantom of the Opera had you all mesmerised); quizzes and Zoom, FaceTime and House party calls to friends have been regular events.

Jack the cat came to us at the very end of April and he’s been a fantastic addition to our family and brought so much lockdown cheer. It’s clear to see how much love you have for him.  

I think this time has made us all appreciate what we do have a lot more. We’ve been enjoying spending more time together and doing simpler activities; we’ve realised just how lucky we are to have a lovely outdoor space to spend time in at the weekend or to have a break in during the homeschool week. We’re not constantly rushing around to this club, that playdate or that meeting and that’s been great.

Things we took for granted before have suddenly taken on a special significance. When Nonno was finally able to come and visit it was a major event, as it was when Adam and Lauren visited. When cafés and restaurants started opening for takeaway and delivery, we were so excited. Walking up to the high street and getting a milkshake was the best thing ever as was getting a home delivery from Five Guys and Fego (one being the Father’s Day breakfast!).

I have been truly amazed at how well you have all coped and your fantastic resilience. There have been very few moans about the situation and it’s been so heart-warming to see you all get on better than ever and work together. You have all shown so much kindness and consideration to each other and there’s been hardly any fighting or arguing. I think without having your school friends to see you’ve really appreciated the friendship you have with each other.

—

Sofia, I feel you’ve really matured in the last 13 weeks; helping around the house without being asked, doing things independently like jumping in the shower, sorting laundry, making dad and me cups of tea and coffee and even making breakfast for everyone at the weekends.

After I learnt to stop meddling, you were a dream with homeschooling. You’ve known exactly what you’ve needed to do and just wanted to get on with it, so much so your MO was to march through it all (diligently) so you could have Thursday afternoon and Friday off. It wasn’t all Neflix in your spare time though, you also helped your sisters with their home learning; frontal adverbials stick in my mind. You’ve been a great big sister.

Your daily dance routines, making care packages for friends and then going on a long trek to do doorstep deliveries, making smoothies, music, spas… these are some of the things I’ll remember.  

You started back at school on June 22^nd and despite it being a very different place to the one you left in March you’ve got back into your stride immediately.

Maria and Gabby, your already strong bond has strengthened even more. I’ve been so thankful that you have each other as natural playmates. Although you were envious of Sofia going back to school it hasn’t been nearly as bad as it could have been as you’ve been able to homeschool and play together as best friends.

It’s fair to say that homeschool isn’t your favourite thing ever and I sometimes get a little stressed doing my work and helping you both, but you have been fantastic. It was great when we had breakthroughs with things, particularly in maths. I do feel like we’ve all learnt lots.    

You have been so understanding about not seeing your friends despite the disappointment.  When you’ve had the occasional distanced doorstep visit it has meant so much to you. You’ve both been so inventive with your play; secret hideouts and lookouts in the garden have been your thing. Gabby, you have become obsessed with gymnastics and you literally cartwheel around the house and garden at any opportunity. You’ve perfected the backbend, bridge and kickover, and are amazing on the monkey bars! Maria, for you it’s all been about climbing trees, you even have your favourite ‘climbing trees.’ Your first question whenever we go for a walk is: “Will there be trees to climb?” You’re also the instigator of the dens and hideouts.     

As July 4^th approaches, we can hopefully look forward to a bit more ‘normal’ returning. We’ve all learnt a lot about the true value of family and friendship and what really matters, which we must not forget.   

I’m very proud of you all.

Love,

Mum xxx

Wish list for post lockdown

Lockdown has improved relationships between parents and children

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At the moment, we’re trying to inject a bit more fun, wherever we can, into the children’s restricted lives and trying to differentiate weekends and ‘special occasions’ from the rest of the week and homeschool. We managed this pretty well over the ‘Easter holidays‘ and have done quite a few things during lockdown to keep our spirits up.

We’re hoping to do the same for the VE Day anniversary (some ideas later on).

Some of the activities so far during lockdown

• We’re doing weekly bake-alongs with friends via Zoom

• We’re playing plenty of games (we also taught the girls to play poker)
• Buying more books – Maria’s obsessed with the first Darcey Bussell ballerina book so I got her the full set. Maria and twin sister Gabby are eagerly working their way through them

• We’re participating in lots of family quizzes
• The girls are having plenty of calls with friends
• We’re doing online tutorials including ballet with The Ballet Coach

• We’re watching more films together as a family
• We let the children stay up late to watch Phantom of the Opera (one of the ‘The Shows Must Go On‘ screenings) and they were mesmerised

• We got a kitten (this wasn’t just a rash lockdown purchase!)
• We’re getting to know our local area much better through walks. Check out your borough council’s website to find walks on your doorstep

VE Day 2020

VE Day is a great opportunity to have a day that’s a bit different and more fun…

• It’s a bank holiday, so no school!
• We’ve bought Union Jack bunting for the kids to decorate the house ready for our…
• Picnic in the front garden
• Make up a jug of Pimms!
• Baking – we’re hosting this week’s bake-along and it’s going to be gingerbread men. I’ll be making some scones later
• VE Day quiz – You can get a free downloadable one at talking tables

• I’ve organised an ice-cream delivery from the ice-cream man for Friday (it went down very well the first time)
• We’re going to be playing more games and having a netball competition
• The Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) has a number of free downloads available on its site (for adults and children) to help you celebrate VE Day including a step-by-step guide to doing the Charleston Stroll!: https://rbli.co.uk/veday75/ 
• Take plenty of photos

Have fun and take care.

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Initial homeschooling experiences

Tasks and Timetable

Every morning so far we’ve started the ‘school day’ with Joe Wicks. It’s a great aid for setting a routine, but I must confess I’ve had achy glutes since day two!

School sent over a good variety of tasks (for a two week period) across the subjects. It also provided a suggested timetable, which balances up academic, creative, exercise, electronic and quiet time. I’ve found the girls definitely need structure for the day. We don’t follow it religiously or have a stopwatch on but it gives a good framework.

We pick a few activities per day and then put them up on our little whiteboard. Additionally, reading time happens every day.

Lay the foundations

My three don’t need constant supervision, but I have to spend a decent amount of time at the start of a new activity to go through it properly. Rushing this bit is a false economy and results in being interrupted with questions every five minutes! It’s best to spend 15 minutes giving a good explanation, examples and discuss ideas ahead of a new task.

My 8-year-olds can work independently for about 30-45 minutes and my 11-year-old often works well over an hour without needing my input.

Be flexible

I think I was a bit too authoritarian on the first two days, so have lightened up since then. However, they still get a lot done. We try to mix it up as much as possible. My eldest’s tasks are usually more in-depth so she often completes less things in a day but produces a lot of work. We tweak the timetable to accommodate this.

I’ve started adapting activities so to they incorporate things that they’re particularly interested in. They are far more enthusiastic if something is relatable. Similarly, I’ve got them to ‘plan the holiday.’ I asked them to come up with ideas for things we can do over an Easter holiday where we can’t have visitors and have to stay in the confines of house and garden. They’ve come up with a lot of suggestions!

Free time during the day

We include a number of breaks/free time where they play a game, use devices, read, play outside etc. Again, I was quite rigid on when free time was at the start, but now I let it happen naturally when someone has finished something or if concentration is on the wane.

Not getting bogged down

I’ve been sent lots of different homeschooling resources from all quarters, which is great. However, I started to feel a bit overwhelmed. I’ve come to terms with the fact that we can’t do everything and I’m being more selective.

Marking and feedback

We’ve been looking at the work they produce together and I’ve been marking it. I don’t want them to think they’re doing stuff for nothing and it doesn’t have any value. Maria and Gabby – who are eight – have even been putting their own learning objective at the start of their work and then asking me if it’s an ‘LO met’ or ‘LO met plus’! I’ve not done this as I’m not qualified to judge but I have been giving feedback and making corrections. I’ve also been dispensing the all-important team points.

Hobbies and leisure

The girls all love netball and we have a great post in the garden so we’re really encouraging this (not that they need encouraging). We’re quite a games-y family anyway and love playing card and board games. We’ve just taught them poker and they are now obsessed.

We’ve upped our game show quota; House of Games is a new regular.

I’ve been taking more photos than usual (with my Fuji Instax Mini 90) and the girls are documenting their days in a journal and using my photos.

Zoom, FaceTime, Houseparty and WhatsApp

You can’t underestimate the social aspect of school. To fill this void, the girls are having plenty of scheduled chats with their friends. I think it’s really important for their mental well-being as it’s such a morale boost. As well as chatting, they’ve also been playing games with each other on these apps.

Final thoughts

Homeschooling is a balancing act and can be tough (though no one’s been bored yet!). It’s been great to actually have such input in what they’re learning and be able to specifically focus on anything they want further help with or practice on.

We’ve discovered that necessity is the mother of invention and we’ve all come up with new ways of learning and creating entertainment.

I won’t lie though, I will be happy when they’re back at school.

The post Homeschooling: what we’ve found so far… appeared first on The Parent Social.

I would not stockpile, but here’s what would be on my essentials list for a Coronavirus lockdown or any other period of quarantine.

Lockdown shopping list

Olive oil – the starting point of about 80% of my cooking

Tinned tomatoes – I’m half Italian, tomatoes feature quite heavily in my cooking

Pasta – (see above)

Soup – As a working-from-home freelancer I always have a stock for lunch; might grab a couple (I mean a couple) of extra cans/cartons .

Calpol – Suddenly realised yesterday that we’d run out. Went to get our usual bottle and discovered, surprise, surprise, it had run out at Boots and Asda. Managed to get a 24 packet of the fastmelts, which we’ve never had before   

Flour (plus yeast) – We make quite a lot of bread; 350g of flour will make a loaf and it costs about 30p

Paracetamol – Matt suffers with headaches, so we always need some in the house. Also, required if we get a temperature. We were extremely low, so I bagged two very cheap packets at Lidl. Which? has a great article about the cheapest places to buy popular medicines

Cannellini beans, kidney beans, chickpeas – these are staples of so many favourite family meals. They are always on my shopping list.   

Lentils – We had Lincolnshire sausage & lentil simmer for the first time the other week. Amazingly the kids loved the Puy lentils; healthy, filling and pretty cheap, I’m going to buy more and look for other recipes. Suggestions welcome  

Tinned tuna – We’re all fans of fresh fish, but store cupboard tuna pasta bake is one of Maria’s favourites. It requires two tins of the fishy stuff, so I’ll make sure I get some in

Wine – No explanation required

Berries, bananas and any other fruit that freezes well – Not just about fruit, this is a good guide on stocking your freezer

Frozen vegetables – I’m a big fan of frozen veg anyway: it works out cheaper, means I include it more regularly in the kids’ meals and it cuts down significantly on waste

Milk – We get ours delivered from milk&more; no trips to the supermarket and it comes in environmentally-friendly glass bottles. They also deliver our eggs, butter, orange juice and a number of other groceries

Rice – Another staple in our household from accompanying winter warming chilli con carne to a quick egg-fried rice at lunch

Replenish first aid kit – embarrassingly, until a couple of years ago I didn’t have one. Make sure you do (for any event). The Millie’s Trust one is great.   

Pack of A4 paper – pencil and paper are the best boredom busters ever

Bleach – my dad has always been obsessed with it and uses copious amounts when cleaning floors and bathrooms (he does a lot of my cleaning!)

Chocolate and biscuits  – Long shelf-life and good for energy and morale!

Here the Independent provides a list of the supermarket rules for lockdown shoppers.

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